EE, the joint venture of Orange and T-Mobile, has informed customers of a planned 3.3% increase to their contract costs.

The UK's largest mobile operator, with more than 27 million customers, blamed the price hike on "rising business costs".

But the firm has also announced a new fixed-price contract option for consumers, billed as "the first of its kind in the industry".

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EE said that Orange and T-Mobile customers will typically see an increase of 70p per month on their bills, or "about the cost of a can of baked beans".

In a statement issued to Mobile Today, an EE spokesperson said: "As a result of rising business costs, we are having to increase the price of some Orange and T-Mobile monthly plans.

"Typically the increase will be 70p a month - about the cost of a can of baked beans."

Wary of criticism over the price rise, EE is also launching a new fixed-rate contract for Orange and T-Mobile customers on April 10.

This will enable them to pay a premium of between 50p and £2 (depending on the tariff) to fix the price of their contract for its duration.

"We have listened to our customers and understand that some would like the option of fixing the price of their monthly plan," said the firm.

"That's why we are also launching a 'Fix Your Monthly Plan' option - the first of its kind in the industry.

"We know price rises are never great news, but we always aim to offer great value to our customers as well as the best service on the UK's biggest network."

Any customers who joined Orange prior to December 2 and T-Mobile prior to January 22 will be affected by the price rise. But customers who signed up to EE, the brand created for the launch of 4G in the UK, will not see their costs increase.

Orange and T-Mobile subscribers who upgraded their deals after December 2 and January 22 respectively will get a six-month grace period before the price rise is imposed, Mobile Today reports.

In January, Ofcom proposed new measures allowing it to "intervene" to allow customers to break their landline, broadband and mobile contracts early without penalty if their provider increases prices.

Customers have complained to Ofcom that it is unfair for providers to increase prices when they have "little choice but to accept the increase or pay a penalty to exit the contract".

Adam Kirby, telecoms expert at uSwitch.com, said that EE's price rise will "be a blow" to customers, particularly considering the current high cost of living in the UK.

But he feels that EE is offering a "get-out-of-jail-free card" with the new fixed price option.

"This innovative alternative will not only give customers a way to avoid these increases, but will also shelter them from any future rises," he said.

"Many consumers have been left feeling misled and out of pocket after signing up to a fixed-term contract, only for the price to go up in the middle of it.

"Even small increases can be a big burden to cash-strapped consumers. The option to fix the line rental element of a mobile contract for a small premium is a victory for both consumer protection and clarity."